RICHMOND — Last Thursday, 144 golfers teed it up at Arlington in the annual Colonel Club Golf Classic.

Before the shotgun start at noon the players enjoyed a tasty lunch on the practice green compliments of EKU dining services, Aramark.

It was a rather hot day for golf, but one team was hotter than the weather. That was the team of Tom Giacchini, Justin Moore, Donnie Rardin and John Trumbo. They shot a par-busting 20-under, 52, to notch the win.

Wow!

That must have been 16 birdies and two eagles.

In the second division, Ben Caudill, Chris Clark, Darron Henry and Shannon Potter carded a 60 to win the top prize. Also with a 60 but losing on a scorecard match-up was the team of Dane Damron, Jake Johnson and Stephen Markert.

In the special events, the longest putt competition was won by John Johnson.  Longest drive for the women was won by Lori Duncan and for the men Ken Stephens was the winner. Closest to the pin winners were sweet-swinging Jan Barnes and Joe Blankenship.

Unfortunately no one won the silver Altima Car from Gates Nissan for a hole-in-one on No. 7.

After play the players cooled off at the Mule Barn and enjoyed the refreshments and a delicious dinner compliments of Outback Steak House. 

Associate athletic director at EKU, Simon Gray, then presented the winners their prizes and expressed his gratitude to all the players and sponsors for their support of this successful event. The title sponsor was Kentucky Bank.

Pepsi donated beverages, Outback the dinner and Aramark the lunch. On the golf course there were hole sponsors on almost every hole giving away gifts, pizza or beverages.

The golfers walked away with a bag full of goodies.

It was another long, exciting, fun-filled day for the players and certainly a big boost to the Colonel Club. Head pro Patrick Williams and his staff did a fine job of keeping things moving smoothly.

Hats off to all you good people. Special thanks to Simon Gray for keeping me posted.

Mahalo!



Berea Invitational a big hit

Eighty-six players took to the links last weekend in the Berea Country Club’s annual Men’s Invitational. 

After two very warm days on the links, Randy Osborne raised the flag of victory in the Championship Flight. He shot a terrific 13-under par, 131, to pick up the marbles. 

Second place went to Randy Jewell with a not too shabby 10-under, 134. Third was Kevin Lawson with a 137 and fourth was Colby Brown with a 138.

First Flight winners were: First — Greg Prater, 141; second — Charlie Brown, 143; third — J. R. Greer, 144 and fourth — Jim Kiser, 145.

Second Flight winners were: First — Marty Snowden, 149; second — Craig Halstead, 151; third — Tom Wethington, 152 and fourth — Miles Griggs, 154.

Third Flight winners were: First — Mitch Maupin, 162; second — Nick Bowling, 162; third — Andy Watkins, 166 and Mason Anglin, 166.

Fourth Flight winners were: First — Peanut Johnson, 173; second — Glen Gray, 174; third — Eric Adams, 176 and fourth — Doug Duerson, 176.

Prior to the start of the tournament there was an exciting shootout with the usual motorized, vocal gallery following. When the smoke cleared the last man standing was Steve Brandenburg.

In an exciting chip off on the last hole, Randy Jewell chipped to within a foot of the pin, which looked like a sure winner, but Steve chipped it in for the moolah.  Mark Spicer picked up third place for a little of the stash.

You da man, Steve!

On Saturday night the players and guests enjoyed a delicious steak dinner prepared by master chefs Nikki Layne, Barbara Belcher and Retha Anglin.

They then danced off the calories to the music of Sofa King Deluxe.

This was a very popular tournament and a feather in the Berea Country Club’s hat. It has a lot of great volunteers that gave unselfishly of their time to see that it was successful.

Ned McAfee, who caddied for Champions Tour multiple winner, Larry Gilbert, volunteers his time as a course superintendent and had the course looking great.  Bill Flanery and Retha Anglin worked tirelessly to score, flight and do tee times.  Marvena Rose and Scott Johnson were in charge of the concession stand and flipped a lot of tasty Uncle Charlie’s tenderloin sandwiches, and the master chefs worked overtime to make sure no one went hungry. 

The way the economy is makes it hard for a little nine-hole course to survive financially. It is events like this tournament and work of the volunteers and club members that keep it going.

The overall sponsors for this tournament were Madison County Ford and Kenny Hayes and Huston Barger Masonry, Inc. A special thank you to them, Bud Montgomery Farm Supply and to all the hole sponsors.

Congratulations to Randy Osborne on a great win and to all you volunteers and club staff for a job well done.

Special thanks to me matey, Carolyn Jones, for the info. I did miss you for the three days though!

Five EKU women golfers named All-Americans

Five Eastern Kentucky University women golfers were selected to the National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholars Team. They were: Taylor Church, April Emerson, Linda Hogberg, Kara Fant and Katie Wiedmar.

Coach Mike Whitson said, “I am very proud of these five young ladies. They work so hard in the classroom and this recognition is well deserved.”

All of these young golfers will be seniors this fall except State Amateur Champ April Emerson, who will begin her junior season. 

Hats off to you dedicated young ladies.  You da ladies!

Ramblings

I missed playing in the Colonel Classic this year for the first time in many years.

The heat and medicines I have to take are not compatible. I did jump on my Segway and run around the course. I am always drawn to hole No. 15 where the cheerleaders are performing. They are raising money for their expenses by doing back flips for a buck a flip.

Most all the foursomes that went through had five of them doing flips. Being the dirty old man that I am, I asked them if I could have a hug instead of a flip. Seven of those pretty young ladies gave me a hug and made my day (also swelled their coffers $7). 

Wow!

Most of them also took a ride on my Segway with no problems.

They are not fraidy cats.

Mahalo!

Upcoming events

Friday at Gibson Bay – The Madison County Baseball Benefit Golf Scramble.  Entry fee is $65 per person. Registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m., Shotgun at 1 p.m.  Cash prizes for first, second, and third.  For info, call Brent Ray at 661-1789.

July 20 at Battlefield – First Christian Church Ninth Annual Golf Scramble. Entry fee $50 per player, $200 per team. Hole and cart sponsors $50. Tee time at 9 a.m., with  lunch following play. For info, contact Ron Ginter 623-2225, Bob Herbst 623-1363, Rev. Michael 623-4383, Pam Grant 200-1827, Chastity Ross 200-1636, Amber Snell 582-7646 or the church office 623-4383.

July 23 at Battlefield – The Madison County Pregnancy Help Center Scramble.  Entry fee is $50 a player, $200 team. Shotgun start at 9 a.m., snacks on course, dinner after play. For a good cause by offering life-affirming help and hope to women in an unplanned or crisis pregnancy.  For info, call Ricky Clontz 661-5118 or Jeff Mounts 302-3097.

July 30 at Battlefield – Tom Jones Memorial Golf Scramble hosted by Kingston Masonic Lodge No. 315. Entry fee is $50 per person and includes lunch. Prizes for first, second and third-place teams. For info, call Mark Hume 661-2030 or Dennis Mills 986-4612.

August 6 and 7 at Berea Country Club – Couples Tournament. Mark the date, more info next week.

Final thought

When you come right down to it, the secret of having it all is loving it all. — Dr. Joyce Brothers

If you have any golf info or tournament information please send it to me at  glenmorejones@gmail.com or fax 623-0970. 

Until next time … live, love, laugh and learn, Glenmore.